Broadcast Issue no 197 - 12 February 2015
Top Story
Marie Lora-Mungai and Tendeka Matutu merge their companies to create "Go-To company for African content"
Marie Lora-Mungai (The XYZ Show, Ogas At The Top, Buni.tv) and Tendeka Matatu (Jerusalema, Material, Cold Harbor) have announced that they are tto merge their assets to create Restless Global. Russell Southwood spoke to Marie Lora-Mungai about this new African studio’s plans.Restless Global will unite Matatu’s and Lora-Mungai’s existing companies Restless Talent Management, Ten10 Films (production and distribution), Buni Media (production, animation & film studios) and Buni.tv (VOD) under one umbrella. Restless Global wants to be able to offer everything from finance and production to distribution and exhibition. It already has a slate of 8 films and 13 TV shows.…
Broadcast
Kenya: Zuku launches new sporting channels
In Kenya, Zuku has launched a new set of channels on its platform. According to the broadcaster, these channels are mainly aimed at broadcasting sporting events across the country. According…
Broadcast
Lifetime announces Four Weddings SA
A+E Networks UK has commissioned a South African version of the reality series Four Weddings after signing a deal with ITV Studios Global Entertainment for the format.This is the first…
Broadcast
Vidi gets Sherlock, Atlantis, other BBC shows
Vidi has announced that it will soon offer a number of BBC shows, including Sherlock and AtlantisVidi, the video on demand (VOD) service from Times Media Group which launched in…
Broadcast
Broadcast – In Brief
Dutch operator KPN renews its agreement with channels 2M and Antena 3On February 1st, the Dutch operator KPN has renewed its contract to broadcast the Moroccan channel 2M and the…
Content
‘Nairobi Half Life’ Director Shares Trailer For Kenyan Crime Drama TV Series, ‘The Nairobians’
The first official trailer for The Nairobians, a forthcoming television series from award-winning Kenyan director David “Tosh” Gitonga, has started making the rounds online. Gitonga’s debut film, Nairobi Half Life,…
Content
Miners Shot Down wins the Cinema for Peace Award for Justice
“To be presented an award by the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court is very affirming. We have a just cause and one day those behind the Marikana massacre…
Content
Ethiopia’s First Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Film Unveils Its Eerie Trailer
Crumbs is a new feature-length film project from award-winning Addis Ababa-based Spanish director Miguel Llansó boldly touting itself as “the first ever Ethiopian post-apocalyptic, surreal, sci-fi feature length film.” Its…
Content
Angolan TV producers apologise over gays kissing
The producers of a popular television soap in Angola have apologised after an episode which showed a gay couple kissing caused outrage among viewers.State television said it had suspended broadcasts…
Content
How Tanzania’s Ubongo Media built a business by making maths cool
In many countries children detest mathematics, and most record poor performances in the subject. Generally, maths and science scores lag behind other school subjects. But a Tanzania social enterprise is changing…
Distribution
My Africa: The competing visions of Africa's future
For the BBC's A Richer World, Alan Kasujja returns to his native Uganda to meet the young entrepreneurs aiming to create a "new" Africa - while still dealing with the…
Distribution
SA's First Dance Movie Heading to Local Screens
South Africa's first movie showcasing the country's dance talent and local youth embracing their identities 20 years after democracy will be premiered on local screens later this month. Hear Me…
Distribution
Distribution – In Brief
Mauritian mobile operator Emtel has become Manchester United's first partner in the region after the two parties signed a multi-year partnership agreement. Under the terms of the contract, Emtel will…
Technology & Convergence
Multichoice seeks Sh153m tax refund from import agent
Multichoice Kenya claims that Mainkam Limited, a clearing and forwarding agent, failed to remit the amount to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) over a four-year period. Multichoice now wants Mainkam…
Technology & Convergence
Zuku looking to launch VOD in Kenya
Kenya’s video on demand market should prepare for a major player at the end of the year, as Wananchi owned Zuku aims to launch the service.Speaking to ITWeb Africa, Richard…
Technology & Convergence
MultiChoice weighs options as ‘tsunami’ looms
MultiChoice boss says encryption is wrong for South Africa’s digital migration project, but is worried broadcasters are "rearranging the furniture" instead of preparing for an incoming "tsunami" of international online…
Regulation & Policy
Nigeria’s ACTV signs multi-year deal with Spacecom
Nigerian pay TV operator ACTV has signed a multi-year contract to use Israel-based Spacecom’s Amos-5 satellite to distribute its content in Ku-band from the 17° East position.ACTV offers about 60…
Regulation & Policy
Namibia makes first-phase switch-off of analogue television
The state broadcaster Namibian Broadcasting Corporation has introduced its first phase of switching off analogue viewing and moving towards digital terrestrial viewingThe state broadcaster Namibian Broadcasting Corporation has introduced its…
Regulation & Policy
Kenyan CA has no plans for 3rd broadcast signal licence soon
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) says it will not issue a third Broadcast Signal Distribution (BSD) licence any time soon, as earlier expected. CA chairman Ngene Gituku said it…
Regulation & Policy
Digital TV Stakeholders To Work Together For A Smooth Transition
The Consumer Federation of Kenya recently organized a digital migration forum that brought together key digital television stakeholders including the Ministry of Information and Communication, Communication Authority, Digital Decoders Dealers…
Investment
NetOne buys ZBC spectrum
Zimbabwe operator NetOne has purchased analogue broadcasting frequencies that were used by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) and Transmedia for USD 200 million, The Herald reported. ICT Minister Supa Mandiwanzira…
Investment
Funds for Quarter 3 have been released
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) is pleased to announce that NFVF Quarter 3 funding decisions have been released.…
More
Opportunities
Call for Nominations for the 09th South African Film and Television Award Lifetime AchieversThe National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) extend a call to the industry to nominate the 09th…
More
Events
17th -19th Feb 2015Digital Broadcasting Switchover Countdown!@ 10th annual Digital Broadcasting Switchover Forum (DBSF) 2015Hotel Indaba, Johannesburg, South Africa28 Feb - 4 March 2015Fespaco Ouagadougou, Burkina FasoOne of the largest…
